With tensions high and questions being raised about the way the Mets handled the offseason, the offense gave fans a glimmer of hope on Tuesday with the offensive performance that led to an 8-0 defeat of the Washington Nationals.

Bo Bichette set the tone immediately in the bottom of the first with a lead-off home run that put the Mets up 1-0 just one pitch into the game.

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They extended their lead with their biggest inning of the month in the fourth, scoring seven runs to make it an 8-0 Mets lead.

MJ Melendez hit a one-out single to get the offense going. Mark Vientos and Brett Baty then walked to load the bases, and, thanks to a fielding error by Jorbit Vivas, Marcus Semien reached and Melendez and Vientos scored to make it 3-0. Carson Benge then stayed hot with a two-RBI single to center field that made it a 5-0 game. Ronny Mauricio then followed with a single, and Bichette drove in his second RBI of the day on a sacrifice fly to right field. Juan Soto then came up and cleared the bases, hitting a home run to left center to make it 8-0.

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While the offense finally came through for the Mets, a phenomenal performance on the mound by Clay Holmes kept the Nationals from putting up a fight. The bullpen finished the job to lead the Mets to a shutout victory.

Holmes threw six shutout innings, giving up just three hits, one walk, and striking out six. His ERA is an impressive 1.75 after his sixth start of 2026. He has a WHIP of just 0.97. Holmes threw 94 pitches, 64 for strikes.

Tobias Myers relieved Holmes in the seventh, keeping the Nationals scoreless over the next two innings and allowing a single base runner.

Craig Kimbrel finished off the night for New York, striking out the side in the ninth.

It was the Mets’ second shutout of the year and 10th win.

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Player of the Game

Tuesday’s player of the game is Carson Benge. He was 2-for-4 on the day, with two RBIs and a run scored.

On Deck

The Mets and Nationals continue their series on Wednesday with a 7:10 p.m. matchup. Right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.01 ERA, 28 SO) takes the mound for the Nationals against David Peterson (0-3, 5.06 ERA, 24 SO) for the Mets. Peterson makes his return to the rotation after a couple of successful bullpen appearances.